FDA Sends Warning Letter to Seller of Chemical Peels

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to Matte Beauty, Destin, FL. The Agency says chemical peels offered online and through the brand’s social media are unapproved new drugs introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce in violation of of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The July 25, 2024 letter followed a review of the company’s website in March and April 2024 where Matte Beauty offered for sale in the US chemical peel drug products including TCA 100% Skin Peel, Lactic Acid 90%, Salicylic Acid 80%, Glycolic Acid 70% and Modified Jessner Solution Peel 14%.

The Agency also reviewed Matte Beauty’s Instagram.

FDA said it “is concerned about potent chemical peel products that are available to be purchased and used by consumers. Such products pose a public health risk because they can cause skin injuries such as burns on the area of application, wounds, pain, swelling, and scarring. FDA has received adverse event reports of injuries involving use of such products, some of which required emergency room care, specialty care from a dermatologist, and/or surgical intervention.”

Unapproved New Drugs

Based on a review of its websites, FDA says Matte Beauty’s chemical peels are drugs as defined by section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and/or intended to affect the structure or any function of the body.

Examples of claims observed include statements regarding Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Skin Peels, such as:
  • [R]educe scars, wrinkles, fine lines, acne & reverse the visible signs of aging.
  • Stimulates development of new collagen and elastin fibroblasts
  • Reduces sebaceous follicle blockage, unclogs pores, and kills bacteria responsible for acne . . .
  • “TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid)- a powerful exfoliating agent works by removing the outer damaged layers of the skin in the epidermal and dermal regions.”

FDA reported similar claims for Lactic Acid Skin Peels, Salicylic Acid Skin Peels, Glycolic Acid Skin Peels and Jessner Skin Peels.

For example, Matte Beauty’s website stated that Glycolic Acid Skin Peels:

 • Stimulates collagen production
 • Increasing cell regeneration
• Encourages increased cell turnover
• Reduces active acne and acne marks
• “Professional Strength for Wrinkles, Fine Lines and Sun Damage. 70% . . . is recommended for the neck, for sun damage, stretch marks, acne, scars, hyper-pigmentation, ingrown hairs.”

FDA contends product pages for “Jessner Skin Peels”included: 

• Reduces hyperpigmentation”
• “[L]ighten areas of skin discoloration”
• “SALICYLIC ACID 14% – salicylic acid peels . . . loosen blackheads . . . and even discoloration”
• “TCA 14% – . . . Reduction of acne, clogged pores, scars, wrinkles, and fine lines. Increase in collagen and elastin production.”
• “LACTIC ACID 14% – treats hyperpigmentation, age spots”

Social Media

The Agency cited an Instagram post from August 29, 2023 that said: “Why facial peel? . . . Chemical Peels also help skin disorders like acne and rosacea . . . #chemicalpeel.”

It also noted a June 30, 2023 post that said: “A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing procedure . . . A light (superficial) chemical peel removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis). It’s used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dryness . . . A medium chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and from portions of the upper part of your middle layer of skin (dermis). It’s used to treat wrinkles, acne scars and uneven skin tone.”